The Antarctic Treaty
Context:
Antarctica Day is celebrated annually on December 1 to commemorate the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959.
To mark the Silver Jubilee of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), a commemorative postage stamp was released.
The Government of India also granted in-principle approval for a new research station, Maitri-II
Key Provisions of the Antarctic Treaty:
The Treaty applies to the area south of 60° South Latitude.
Antarctica shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
Military bases, fortifications, maneuvers, and weapons testing are prohibited
It guarantees freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation.
Personnel, observations, and results must be freely exchanged
The Treaty freezes existing territorial claims.
No new claims or enlargement of existing claims can be asserted while the Treaty is in force
It prohibits any nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste material in Antarctica
The Treaty applies to the area south of 60° South Latitude
India’s Presence:
The nodal agency is National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research NCPOR
It was established in 2000
It anchors India's polar explorations
India has operationalized permanent stations in Antarctica:
Dakshin Gangotri(decommissioned)
Maitri
Bharati.
It also operates Himadri in the Arctic and Himansh in the Himalayas.